Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To complain about this GP receptionist?

73 replies

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:29

Tell me if I am making a mountain out of a molehill please.

I went to see the GP today with DC (7 months) in tow. I checked myself in and found out that there was going to be a long wait, about 5 patients before me. I told the (nice) receptionist that I was going to pop out across the steet to the playground and she said that was fine and apologised for the long wait.

Outside at the car park, I went to the car, got DC dressed in her winter coat and hat whilst more cars arrived looking for space to park. I got some impatient looks from people in their cars thinking I was about to leave, one driver even swore at me when I hinted that I wasn't moving my car.

Anyhow, I closed the boot and walked across the street to the playground.

Suddenly a women got out of her car and shouted across the street asking if I was seeing the GP or not. I didn't feel like shouting back and anyway it was none of that woman's business really. So I turned around and ignored her. Next I know she shouts my name "mrs Ginghamcurtains" in a school master voice, "a you or aren't you seeing the GP". I recognised that this was other GP receptionist. I mumbled something about waiting to see the Gp. She went off in a huff saying that she needed to park her car implying that she needed the space my car was parked in.

Aibu to feel really put out that she used my name which she only knows because I am a patient to shout across the street at me because she needed a parking space? I thought this was really rude and i am considering complaining about her. Would you?

I am however worried that if I complain she will make me pay for it when I call for appointments in the future.

OP posts:

CustardLover · 22/11/2013 20:32

Personally I wouldn't bother - what would your objective be for such a complaint? I think it won't make your life any better but might make it slightly worse if, as you say, it makes her take against you. Can completely understand you being put out but I don't think complaining will help you.

MrsFlorrick · 22/11/2013 20:33

GP receptionists they seem to be a special self important breed.

I know why you feel like complaining but it's not worth hassle over future appointment. They rule like nazis in my experience.

For the sake of your DS and to save worries, I would leave it

You can always come here and vent!

ceeveebee · 22/11/2013 20:33

Personaly I would say you were rude for totally ignoring her question the first time you were asked.

tracypenisbeaker · 22/11/2013 20:34

Your grievance is that she said your name, which she only used because you ignored her?

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:44

I ignored her because I don't like to be shouted at and commanded from across the street. A simple 'excuse me, are you going to see the Gp? I need a parking space' would have made a world of difference.

I don't think that's very nice manner, especially when talking to a patient is it?

OP posts:

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:46

She didn't just say my name she said called my name in a reprimanding way just to secure herself a parking space. Also, sorry but why use the knowledge of my name (confidential patient data) for the benefit of finding a space to park her car?

OP posts:

NoArmaniNoPunani · 22/11/2013 20:48

You ignored her, you were also odd for taking a 7mo to a playground. What's wrong with just sitting and waiting for the GP?

BobaFetaCheese · 22/11/2013 20:49

Why didnt you wait in the GP reception room?

TheCrumpetQueen · 22/11/2013 20:51

You were both rude

candycoatedwaterdrops · 22/11/2013 20:53

YWBU for not waiting in the surgery like other people.

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:53

I had to wait for an hour. The playground is literally across the street and tiny and I popped back every five minutes to check progress. DC would have screamed the whole place down had I waited. I thought I was being considered to the other people waiting as well allowing DC some fresh air.

Sorry but why was I rude exactly???

OP posts:

SirChenjin · 22/11/2013 20:54

She was bloody rude - there is a way to ask someone if they are moving out from their parking space and that wasn't it. As for 'ignoring' her, if you believe that shouting at someone across a car park warrants a response then you are mistaken. You did the right thing going to the playpark - who wants to sit about for 15-30 minutes in a germ infested GP waiting room? As long as you understood that if the appointments had suddenly sped up and that as a result you had missed your important then that was just too bad, then you took the sensible option.

Bue · 22/11/2013 20:55

I really, really fail to see how your name is confidential patient data It pops up on the screen when the GP is ready to see you!!!

Daddypigsgusset · 22/11/2013 20:55

What's odd about a 7mo at a playground? [Confused]

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:56

Sir, you put it better than me, but that's was what I was exactly thinking.

OP posts:

kinkyfuckery · 22/11/2013 20:56

She used your name to get your attention? Shoot her!

ZombieMonkeyButler · 22/11/2013 20:56

Well, when I used to be a GP Receptionist, the 'house rule' was that if you left the building you lost your place in the queue (other than smokers popping out for a cigarette, nipping to fetch something from the car etc etc). It wasn't our rule (as patients no doubt thought), it was the GPs rule. Therefore, I think you're pretty U for heading off to the playground in the first place. Especially in November, with a 7mo baby .

But putting that to one side, you should have answered the Receptionist the first time she spoke to you. Look at the other side of the coin, she might be fed up with patients looking and talking down to her! Oh, and pinching the last parking space to go shopping.

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:57

Yes my name does pop up on the screen indeed but she used the knowledge of my name outside of the surgery to secure herself a parking space and she shouted my name across the street to make herself noticed.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:58

The other receptionist new I was popping out a d supported it. So different rules in this surgery I guess. DC was dressed warmly and enjoyed the swings.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 20:59

knew not new...

OP posts:

Salmotrutta · 22/11/2013 20:59

They tend to call out our names at my GP when the Doc is ready to see you.

So it's hardly confidential at my surgery - maybe I should complain?

SirChenjin · 22/11/2013 21:00

Maybe that wasn't the rule in this surgery though? And not heading off the playpark in November - what??!!

As for ignoring her - I'd have done the same. If someone wants to engage with me then they can do it without shouting at me - otherwise I will either shout back or ignore them.

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 21:00

Zombie, if she and talked to me in a policed way I would never have ignored her. She shouted to me from across the street.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 21:01

Salmo, it was outside of the surgery, like I said.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ginghamcurtains · 22/11/2013 21:02

Oh god, I give up, bloody predictive spelling. I try again.

Zombie, if she had talked to me, I would have never ignored her. She shouted out my name from across the street.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3